Marijuana

News, information and statistics about the illegal marijuana market. Facts about cannabis and illegal marijuana growing is collected from security agencies, user submitted information and other public criminal justice information.

In 2013, criminal justice officials in the United States estimated that between $19 Billion to $29 Billion is being smuggled down to Mexico from illegal drug sales in the United States. The sales and revenue from marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine is included in that total.

In terms of enforcement, the US Immigration ad Customs Enforcement seized $411 Million in cash that was being transported into Mexico.

The Former Governor of Sinaloa stated that up to 62 percent of the economy in Sinaloa was based on drug trafficking money.

Many of the drug cartels invest in legitimate businesses in order to launder their illicit proceeds. Cartels place investments into shopping centers, hotels, residential developments and various types of economic activities.

Source: John Burnett, “At The Border, The Drugs Go North And The Cash Goes South,” NPR News, March 20, 2014.

Government security agencies estimate that up to 15,000 hectares land across Jamaica is dedicated to the growing of marijuana. The plant is grown in all 14 parishes of the country in areas that are hidden from the general public. Many of the grow operations take place in small plots scattered across mountain areas.

According to the US State Department’s 2014 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Jamaica is the top Caribbean supplier of marijuana to the United States and other Caribbean countries.

In 2013, security forces in Jamaica eradicated 247 hectares of marijuana fields, destroyed 1.9 million cannabis seedlings, and seized 285 kilograms of seeds. Back in 2012, 711 hectares were eradicated, 2.5 million seedlings were destroyed and 785 kilograms of seeds were destroyed.

According to data released by criminal justice programs, India is a main supplier of illegal narcotics to countries in South Asia.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reported that drugs and ingredients from India’s pharmaceutical industry is diverted to the black market. The illicit pharmaceutical pills are either trafficked domestically or smuggled on to the global black market.

In addition to prescription drugs, India provides most of the heroin that is consumed in Bangladesh. Most of the cannabis that is consumed in Bangladesh and Nepal is also produced in India and smuggled across the border.

Most of the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine uses to make meth in Myanmar is believed to have originated from India as well.

The rate of opium seizures in India has grown in the last three years. In 2009, government security agencies seized about 1.7 tonnes of opium in India. In 2012, over 3 tonnes of opium was seized.

14 kilograms of cocaine was seized in India in 2011. In 2012, the amount of cocaine seized tripled to 42 kilograms.

According to our reader, marijuana is sold for $15.56 to $18.67 (100 to 120 Swedish Krona). The marijuana is available for sale in bags filled with 4 to 5 grams of marijuana. The 4 gram bags are sold for 500 Krona ($77.80), and the 5 gram bags for 600 Krona ($93.36).

Back around 2005 or 2008, the price of marijuana in Stockholm increased from 500 Krona for 5 grams (100 kr per gram) to 600 Krona for 5 grams (120 kr per gram).

Wholesale prices for marijuana in Stockholm is between $3,900 to $6,260 (25,000 Krona to 40,000 Krona). 100 grams of marijuana is sold around $940 to $1,410 (6,000 to 9,000 Krona).

Drug trafficking in the popular tourist areas were previously controlled by organized crime gangs with members from Britain, Israel, Russia, as well as domestic Indian gangs.

Since 2009, security intelligence and arrests have shown that there have been an increase in trafficking gangs from Nigeria. Between 2010 and 2013, police in Goa arrested 189 Nigerians for crimes such as drug trafficking or lacking proper visas and travel documents. Roughly 40 percent of all foreigners arrested for trafficking illegal drugs in Goa was from Nigeria.

According to data analyzed by NBC News, there are roughly 325 marijuana companies licensed to operate marijuana dispensaries in Denver, Colorado. Between 2011 and 2013, there have been about 317 burglaries and 7 robberies reported by these companies during the two year period. Thus, the annual robbery and burglary rate is about 50 percent.

On average, every marijuana-related business in the city of Denver can expect to be robbed or burglarized at least once every two years.

The rate of crime has lead to a new industry of provided security services to weed dispensaries. One company, the Blue Line Protection Group, was formed in August 2013 by a former veteran who served in Afghanistan. The company has landed about 30 contracts to provide security to marijuana shops. The company employs over 40 security guards, many of which have special ops experience. The company charges between $5,000 to $15,000 for its security protection.

The marijuana is readily available in the night life area of Miami and is generally of high quality. The weed for sale in Miami is mostly grown locally, although there are marijuana available for sale on the black market that has been shipped in from California.

Across the country, 35.7 tons of cocaine and 220.7 tons of marijuana were seized in 2013. In addition to the drugs, $34.1 Million in assets that were held by drug traffickers were also seized.

The border regions of Brazil has seen a large increase in crack cocaine and other trafficking activities due to its borders with Bolivia and Peru. A kilogram of cocaine is sold for about $1,200 in the border region, but when trafficked further into the country the same kilogram of cocaine can be sold at a profit of 6 times.

In addition, drug use has increased in the border towns. According to social workers in the region, a gram of cocaine can be split up into a dozen crack cocaine rocks and sold to drug users for $0.85 (2 Brazilian Real).